Big Horn Sheep, 2015

Michael Binkley carved this original fine art stone sculpture of a big horn sheep ram from a variety of limestone from France, called chemsesson. Limestone is a sedimentary rock and this variety has a fine grain and creamy white colour.

Binkley carved this sculpture to celebrate the Chinese zodiac calendar animal for 2015, which is the sheep, or goat. Since big horn sheep are native to the Rocky Mountains of Canada, Michael thought it a fitting image to combine the two country’s cultures.

This big horn sheep is poised to do battle with an opponent, pawing the earth with its front hoof and head lowered to charge forward. One can see the powerful shoulder and thigh muscles of the animal. Will it succeed to win the affections of the ewe?

Binkley left the surface of the sculpture with a silky smooth matte finish that is wonderful to the touch and gives the limestone the ability to hold shadows effectively.